Photo by Donna Magalski

Senior Nate Skonieczny and Walsh Jesuit split a pair of dual meets on Thursday night in Bedford. A two-time Ironman champion, Skonieczny (145) won by major decision and pin. He is pictured here at the Top Gun.

Talk about an opening weekend full of punch. This year’s 27th annual Solon Comet Classic packs a wallop.

With Walsh Jesuit coming back to the Classic, the field is loaded.

Reigning Division III state champion Bedford St. Peter Chanel is back as well, but the Firebirds aren’t what they were a year ago.

The Warriors join area teams St. Vincent-St. Mary and Twinsburg at the Classic.

Though Walsh wasn’t there in 2010, state champion Nate Skonieczny and placers Cory Stainbrook, Mike Kostandaras and Nick Skonieczny will add fuel to the team race.

Twinsburg returns state champion Michael Baker and third-place finisher Mike Labry, who recently signed with Ashland, to the lineup.

Baker could see Parkersburg state champ Jared Haught in the finals.

The Fighting Irish are stacked as well with state champion Mike Rix, state placers Ryan Skonieczny and Ray Stone and state qualifier Walt Gibson back in the lineup.

Solon brings back state champions in Brandon Thompson and Anthony Collica.

Aurora Invitational

Crestwood took a hit to graduation, but will find out what it has this year when it returns to Aurora as the reigning tournament champions.

A year ago, the Red Devils lapped the field with 11 placers – six champions among them – to beat Aurora by 87.

This year, Crestwood returns Aurora titlists Connor Nemec and Dylan Kager. Steve Alger, Nick Fejedelem and Luke Hiller come back as placers as well.

The next best SportsInk.com school was Garrettsville Garfield in third with one champion, two runners-up and another placer.

The G-Men only have runner-up Kevin Stock and Devin Dressler (4th) back among its Aurora Invitational placers.

Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy

Don Lorence certainly knows how to get ready for a season in Division II.

In his ninth year with the Royals, Lorence has made it a point to wrestle the best.

And, just like in the last four seasons, that means opening with Lakewood St. Edward.

That’s the Eagles, reigning Division I state champions. St. Edward is ranked second in the nation by Amateur Wrestling News’ Bob Preusse and Intermatwrestle.com’s Josh Lowe.

“From the first day of practice you’re training hard because that first few weeks are brutal. If you’re not on you’re ‘A game’ you’ll start out 0-4 or 0-5.”

Marist (Ill.) usually joins the two, but scheduling conflicts brought Oregon Clay to the mix this season.

Clay finished just off the leaderboard in 12th last year at the state tournament and is expected to have another strong team this season.

“Our wrestlers have worked hard all summer,” Lorence said. “They want the opportunity to wrestle the best.”

Ken Briggs Memorial

Copley coach Jim Dies and the Indians will find out what life is like without state champion Sam Wheeler and seven other seniors this weekend in a dual meet tournament with Brunswick, Hudson, Carrollton, Woodridge and Valley Forge.

Last year, Copley went 5-0 to win its home tournament with its closest match coming against Carrollton in a 47-20 win.

“Anything at home is big, you want to show the fans you have a quality team, especially in wrestling when you have so few home matches,” Dies said. “But it’s about getting off to a good start and getting that confidence early in the year.

“I like Carrollton’s team, they have the numbers. It’ll be interesting. It’ll be big to have some success. Whatever happens there will be sitting in our heads for awhile.”

The Indians have a 12-day break after the Briggs.

Moeller Super Duals

Think big-time matches don’t happen right off the bat? Think again.

Wadsworth hopes to defend its title this weekend at the Cincinnati Moeller Super Duals.

A year ago, the Grizzlies topped the Crusaders 31-24 in the championship match.

That dual saw an eventual state finals match between Wadsworth’s Kagan Squire and Moeller’s Joey Ward.

Squire came out on top 3-1 in overtime. Ward beat him at state.

Olentangy Liberty, Elyria, Fairfield, Lakota East, Westerville North Mason, Dayton Christian, St. Xavier (Ky.), Father Ryan (Tenn.) and Trinity (Ky.) will also wrestle in the Duals.

Nick Tavanello and C.J. Edwards – both coming off of football – will be match-time decisions for the Grizzlies this weekend.

The Grizzlies will wrestle Lakota East and Westerville North in the pool portion of the tournament. Wadsworth wouldn’t see Moeller until the finals.